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Need Home Theater Speakers that also produce great Stereo Sound

964 Views 12 Replies 10 Participants Last post by  schan1269, 
T
As a point of reference I have been out of the AV game altogether up until today. My focus has always been more music than video with extensive LP and CD library.


Current Set-Up:

I currently have a decent 200w Adcom amp, an Adcom Pre-amp/Tuner, B&O Turntable, Klipsch Cornwall Speakers. So I am a bit of an old school dude that now must realize that due to the size of my new home I can only have one system that covers all my needs for a Home Theater system that still provides a good/great stereo sound (almost impossible I'm sure).


Current Needs:

I am retiring my LPs so it only comes down to my desire to enjoy great stereo sound via CD, iPod and possibly streaming satellite radio. Therefore I have budgeted about $1000 and I am currently searching for an AV Receiver that has networking capability but also offers very good audio performance that allows for audio streaming as well.


Speaker Recommendations Needed:

My biggest need for suggestions is in the area of home Theater speakers that will satisfy a discriminant ear when it comes to stereo sound. I am getting no love from any of the high-end or high-performance audio video shops (i.e. Star Power and Modia) to help me in this area.


I want to get both very good/great AUDIO sound as well as very good/great STEREO sound. I want to be able to at least fake 5.1 surround with a nice 3.1 set-up. I don't necessarily feel I want or need all of the special effects of 5.1 or 7.1. And I don't want to take too much of a hit and compromise too much on my stereo sound.


For that reason I am willing to maybe consider a 3.1 set-up that has a couple of nice towers that will help me get a very nice warm/full sounding stereo sound. Knowing I have to retire my Klipsch Cornwall speakers I have loved for years I am embarking on new territory with a preliminary budget of $1000 for AV Receiver and $2000 for speakers.


Any speaker advise would be greatly appreciated.
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Dbuudo07
How loud do you listen to your speakers and how far are you sitting from them? This will help narrow things down a bit.


Personally, if you don't have a wide listening area to satisfy, just stick with two speakers and a sub. You'll get more for your money this way.
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T
Living room area is 15x18 (single story house with no "open" ceilings). I sit approx 8'-10' away from TV/Stereo speakers.


Would I be able to simulate a center channel with only two speakers and a sub?
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Gooddoc

Quote:
Originally Posted by tweaky3000 /forum/post/0


Living room area is 15x18 (single story house with no "open" ceilings). I sit approx 8'-10' away from TV/Stereo speakers.


Would I be able to simulate a center channel with only two speakers and a sub?
Click to expand...

Yes, most AVR's will allow for a phantom center. Be aware, however, that the signal is compressed when in phantom mode and it is well reported that SQ is audibly inferior compared to a real center and sides for 5.1 soundtracks.
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S
[QUOTE=tweaky300

Current Needs:

I am retiring my LPs so it only comes down


Don't do it!
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psgcdn
Quote:
Originally Posted by tweaky3000
Knowing I have to retire my Klipsch Cornwall speakers I have loved for years
Why? HT is all about dynamics and Cornwalls are all about dynamics!


Many of us are using Klipsch Heritage in an HT environment. You could pick up a single vertical Cornwall and place it horizontal as a center, or, if that's too big, an upright Heresy II. You can pick up used matching Heresy II for the finish of your Cornwall to use as surrounds for $400 a pair.


You'd have to wait til I die for get my Heritage HT out of my home!
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P
I'm needing to seriously reduce my footprint thus my admission of defeat on having to retire my Cornwall's. With my desire to have at least a decent home theater video experience I feel I need to have a center channel speaker and likely even a sub. With the size of the Cornwall's I am in trouble. Footprint/space issues are why I am having to consider a 3.1 set-up hoping that provides me with a good video experience and a good/great audio stereo experience.


I am considering test-driving some of the Klipsch Reference Series speakers this weekend and seeing what kinda of enjoyment I can get from a couple of towers, a center channel and then decide if I need to throw a sub into the mix.


This is the turmoil of trying to gain great sound from a single system for both my home theater and stereo sound considering my space issues. Lot's of challenges.
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S
tweaky3000 what area are you from?
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zieglj01
Look at the Focal 714 towers and 700 center

If you can stretch the budget - the 716 would be better
http://www.musicdirect.com/search.aspx?searchterm=focal

And the Epik Legend sub
http://www.epiksubwoofers.com/legend.html
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T
Dallas, Tx. location.
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J
If you have the space requirements (speakers placed away from walls) I would look at Planer and Electrostatic technology, the spaciousness and detail is fantastic and certainly won't hurt for a 3.1 setup, which I would imagine would be lacking (the spaciousness). Get AVR with preouts, keep your Adcom amp you would need it.


Wanted to add the Epik Legend is a great match to my ML Aerius i, very tight and detailed.
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psgcdn

Quote:
Originally Posted by tweaky3000 /forum/post/20824513


Living room area is 15x18 (single story house with no "open" ceilings). I sit approx 8'-10' away from TV/Stereo speakers.


Would I be able to simulate a center channel with only two speakers and a sub?
Click to expand...

If you sit alone in the sweet spot, but the sound will likely be compressed without a center speaker.


So, you want to ditch your Cornwalls? I thought you liked them?
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S
If you lived in Chicago, I'd wine and dine you for them Cornwalls....
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